March 2013

How to like the person you see in the mirror It is not too late for the person in the mirror.

Sometimes it just seems easier to give up and accept things for the way we see them and not even ask God to make them better.

It is what it is…right? Just accept it. Build a bridge and get over it. It just doesn’t get any better than this??

In our text today we will hear the story of 5 people who, by human standards, should have just accepted their reality the way it was; but, they did not!

They asked God for better.

Matthew 9:18-34 “As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside. After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region. When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

1. The official was grieving because his daughter had passed away.

But it was not too late!.

Jesus was going to get involved

2. The woman had suffered for 12 years and was on her last hope.

But it was not too late.

Jesus as going to get involved

3. The two blind men had suffered from no sight.

But it was not too late.

Jesus was going to get involved

4. The possessed man had lost his ability to speak.

But it was not too late.

Jesus was going to get involved.

These 4 stories have three things in common.

People were hurting.

Someone had either told them about this person Jesus who could help them OR they had brought them toJesus personally

They placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus got involved in their lives

5. Any of these five SHOULD have said:

Learn to deal with it.

It is what it is.

But, they did not – They believed for more.

They asked for better.

They knew there was an OPPORTUNITY UNEXPLORED.

I am not sure what hurts you see when you look in the mirror every morning. But Jesus does.